Two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

A two-part easy-on and stay-on mitten includes a cuff part donned before, and a mitten part donned after, a jacket. The cuff part extends from mid-palm to mid-forearm and protects the wrist against cold. It has a thumb hole which secures it in place while pushing an arm through the jacket&#39;s sleeve. The cuff and mitten parts have mating fastener patches, which securely and removably engage one another. The cuff part can be worn interchangeably on a left or right hand, and leaves the fingers free to close the jacket&#39;s zippers and buttons. The mitten part has a closeable slit that provides a clear line of sight to guide the wearer&#39;s thumb into a mitten thumb hole. A mitten strap closes the slit and removably secures the fastener patches in engagement with one another. The strap has a tab member which can be grasped while wearing a mitten.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hand-coverings and, more particularly, to two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, it may have been known to provide a mitten with an integral flared arm portion, which may have been configured to extend up a child's lower arm and over the elbow. An elastic at the cuff may have been intended to hold the mitten in place. Such mittens could be worn with their flared arm portions over or under the child's jacket sleeve. When worn over the jacket sleeve, certain arm and/or shoulder movements may have been likely to cause, and/or the mitten may have been otherwise susceptible to progressively sliding down the sleeve with, the child's hands withdrawing from the mitten cavity into the flared arm. Typically, in the prior art, the flared arm portion may not have been as well insulated as the mitten cavity and/or the child's fingers may have become more exposed to the cold. Further, at this point, the child's fingers and/or thumb may have been no longer properly engaged within the mitten, and the child may have found it more difficult or impossible to properly and/or effectively use their thumb in holding and/or manipulating objects. In the result, children may have become frustrated with such prior art mittens, and removed them altogether.

Still further, in the case when children donned such prior art mittens without help, it may have been prohibitively difficult for the child to extend the flared arm portion relative to the jacket sleeve. While donning the first mitten, the child had the benefit of one bare hand to manipulate the flared arm over the top of the sleeve. However, while donning the second mitten, the child may have attempted same, this time not with a bare hand, but rather with the hand already in the first mitten and/or with insufficient dexterity to readily, easily, and/or successfully extend the flared arm over top of the second sleeve.

To be worn under a sleeve, a child was required to don such prior art mittens before donning the jacket. It may have been very difficult for the child to push the mittens through the jacket's sleeves, given the insulated and relatively bulky mittens in comparison with the inside diameter of the jacket sleeves. Further, with the mittens donned before the jacket, the child may have had insufficient dexterity to manipulate snaps, zippers, etc. to properly close and fasten the jacket once the jacket was on.

Prior art mittens with integral flared arms and/or integral cuffs that extended up the wrist may have suffered from a further shortcoming in the level of difficulty experienced by helpers while attempting to guide children's thumb into the thumb cavities of the mittens. There may have been no line of sight into the thumb cavity and, perhaps in part for this reason, it may have been difficult for an adult to guide and/or confirm that the thumb was in the thumb cavity. Further, young children may lack dexterity and/or abilities to follow helpers' directions for them to successfully navigate the entrance to the thumb cavity independently.

In analogous or non-analogous fields of art, it may have been known to provide an easy access hand covering for intended for use by people with disabilities. Such hand coverings may have used three temporarily securable flaps on their back portion to provide for the ingress and egress of a hand while allowing such hand coverings to remain positioned securely upon the wrist throughout.

Various other mittens for use by children and others, in readily donning the mittens with their thumbs properly inserted in them, also may have been known in the prior art. Such mittens may have featured a slit (or opening) to provide a helper with a line of sight and access to guide the wearer's thumbs and finger into their respective cavities. Such mittens, however, may have failed to prevent cold and/or snow incursions in the gap between the mittens and the jacket sleeves. Further, such mittens may have been susceptible to accidentally falling off and/or to casually or unintentionally removing them.

It may be an object according to one aspect of the invention to provide a mitten, glove, device, system, and/or method which may preferably enable a helper (e.g., an adult, teacher, instructor, and/or another individual) to place mittens and/or gloves on a child (the wearer) in such a way that:

-   -   The process may be performed quickly and/or easily, preferably         without causing the helper and/or the child any discomfort.     -   The helper may be certain and/or increase chances of the child's         wrist being protected and/or insulated, preferably to prevent         and/or reduce risk of incursion of snow and/or cold into an         otherwise exposed gap between a jacket and a mitten and/or         glove.     -   The mittens and/or gloves may be less likely to accidentally         fall off, become lost, and/or expose the child's hands to the         elements.     -   The child may preferably, at least in part, be prevented and/or         restricted from casually (e.g., with a flick of a wrist) from         removing the mittens and/or gloves, and/or exposing one or more         of the child's hands to the elements. And/or,     -   The helper may easily and/or readily guide the child's fingers         into the finger cavity (or cavities) and/or thumb into the thumb         cavity of the mitten and/or glove, and/or ensure and/or increase         chances of the child's use of opposable thumbs not being         impaired.

It may be an object according to one aspect of the invention to provide a mitten, glove, device, system, and/or method which may preferably enable wearers of substantially any age, and/or a wide range of ages, to easily and/or independently don mittens and/or gloves in such a way that:

-   -   The process may be performed quickly and/or without causing any         discomfort.     -   The wearers may be certain and/or increase chances of their         wrists being protected and/or insulated, and/or may preferably,         at least in part, prevent and/or restrict incursion of snow         and/or cold into an otherwise exposed gap between a jacket and         the mitten and/or glove.     -   The mittens and/or gloves may be unlikely and/or less likely         (than mittens and/or gloves otherwise might be) to accidentally         fall off.     -   The wearer may easily and/or readily place their fingers into         the finger cavity (or cavities) and/or thumb into the thumb         cavity of the mitten and/or glove, and/or ensure and/or afford         increased use of their opposable thumbs. And/or,     -   Preferably in addition to achieving one or more other objects of         the invention, and/or in association with a process of donning         the mitten and/or glove, the wearer may be free to perform tasks         requiring fine motor control, such as, for example, fastening         snaps, buttons, and/or one or more zippers of a jacket.

It may be an object according to one aspect of the invention to provide a mitten, glove, device, system, and/or method which may preferably: allow an adult to easily guide a child's fingers into a finger cavity and/or thumb into a thumb cavity of a mitten and/or glove; prevent and/or reduce risk of mittens and/or gloves falling off and/or exposing a child's hands to the elements; prevent and/or reduce risk of children casually and/or unintentionally removing their mittens and/or gloves; prevent and/or reduce risk of snow and/or cold incursions at the wrist between a jacket and a mitten and/or glove.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more disadvantages and/or shortcomings associated with the prior art, to meet or provide for one or more needs and/or advantages, and/or to achieve one or more objects of the invention—one or more of which may preferably be readily appreciable by and/or suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings and/or disclosures hereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there are disclosed two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods.

According to an aspect of the invention, there may preferably be provided a proprietary two-part design, comprising a cuff and a mitten (or glove). The cuff may preferably be donned before the jacket, and/or have a size and/or configuration which preferably does not interfere with this process or make it difficult. A wearer may preferably slide each hand through a cuff and engage the hand's thumb in a thumb hole at one extent of the cuff. The cuff may preferably have a lining constructed from a waterproof material (e.g., a Goretex™ material). The cuff may preferably then extend from the wearer's mid-palm to mid-forearm, preferably thereby protecting the wearer's wrist from cold and/or snow. The cuff may preferably be constructed of an insulating and stretchy material, preferably to provide both warmth and conformal contact with a relatively wide range of wrist diameters and/or an ability to be fitted over clothing (e.g., a wearer's sweater sleeve).

According to an aspect of the invention, the cuff may preferably have a fastener, e.g., a Velcro™ patch which later mates with a Velcro™ patch on the mitten (or glove). Each cuff may preferably have two fasteners (e.g., top and bottom), preferably so that the cuffs may be left-right-hand interchangeable.

According to an aspect of the invention, while the cuff provides a degree of thermal insulation, it nonetheless may preferably be thin and/or easily pass through the wearer's jacket sleeve. The engaged thumb in the thumb hole on the cuff may preferably keep the cuff in place, preferably as the wearer pushes their arm through the jacket sleeve. The two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods, according to the invention, may preferably thus provide an easier alternative to pushing bulky mittens through the jacket sleeves.

According to an aspect of the invention, preferably at this point, the wrists may be protected, the jacket may be on, and the wearer may still have full finger dexterity to close and/or fasten the jacket's zipper, buttons, snaps, etc.

According to an aspect of the invention, the wearer's thumb, once engaged in the cuff thumb hole, may preferably serve and/or help to anchor the cuff relative to the wearer's arm. Accordingly, the cuff may preferably be secured in such a fashion that it preferably may be somewhat restrained from and/or less likely to slide up and/or down the arm during movement of the wearer's arms and/or shoulders movements (i.e., potentially, in contradistinction from some of the prior art).

According to an aspect of the invention, the mitten may be designed with a slit which may preferably extend from the base of the mitten roughly up to the wearer's third knuckle on the index finger. This slit may preferably provide the wearer and/or a helper with line of sight into the thumb hole and/or access to readily and/or easily guide the wearer's thumb into the mitten thumb cavity.

According to an aspect of the invention, the mitten also may be designed with a fastener (e.g., a Velcro™ patch) on the inside of the mitten which may preferably be oriented to mate with the fastener on the cuff.

According to an aspect of the invention, preferably once and/or after the wearer's fingers and thumb are and/or have been engaged in the mitten, a single motion of (wrapping a strap attached to the mitten and thus) closing an access panel provided on the mitten may preferably, simultaneously and/or substantially contemporaneously, (a) close the slit on the mitten, preferably isolating the elements from the wearer's hands and/or wrists, and/or (b) cause the fastener on the inside of the mitten to mate with the fastener on the cuff, preferably thereby fixing the mitten in place, and/or preventing it from accidentally falling off and/or from being casually or unintentionally removed.

According to an aspect of the invention, the strap and/or panel may preferably have a large tab (or similar feature) which can be manipulated by the wearer, preferably even while wearing the mittens and/or to permit intentional removal of the mittens at any point.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures, the latter of which are briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods according to the present invention, as to their structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following figures in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the figures are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying figures:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a cuff according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a bottom fastener thereof, and shown in use extending from the user's forearm to fingers and with the user's thumb extending through a cuff thumb hole;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cuff of FIG. 1, showing a top fastener thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cuff of FIG. 2, shown in use extending beyond the user's jacket sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a mitten according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a panel and strap of the mitten in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the mitten of FIG. 4 with the panel and strap in the open position;

FIG. 6 is an inside insertion view of the mitten of FIG. 4 with the panel and strap in the open position, showing a fastener and a thumb hole of the mitten;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the mitten of FIG. 4 being donned, with the panel and strap in the open position, showing the mitten and cuff fasteners beginning to engage one another, and showing the mitten thumb hole through a slit of the mitten;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the mitten of FIG. 4 with the panel and strap in a secured configuration; and

FIGS. 9A to 9G are open, outer, palm, and sliced inside views of mittens and cuffs (or “arm warmers”) according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There are shown in accompanying FIGS. 1 to 9G preferred embodiments of two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show bottom and top views of a cuff, according to the invention, extending from a user's forearm to fingers and with the wearer's thumb inserted into the thumb hole and Velcro™ patch (the fastener) on both sides. As shown, the fastener is preferably on the top and bottom, which preferably allows the cuff to be left- and right-hand interchangeable. The cuff is preferably donned before the jacket.

The wearer preferably then dons the jacket. The cuff preferably passes readily and/or easily through the sleeve, as it is preferably not bulky compared to the inner diameter of the sleeve. The wrist is preferably then well protected and insulated from the elements. FIG. 3 shows the cuff and Velcro™ patch on the cuff extending beyond the jacket sleeve.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a mitten according to the invention, with a panel and strap of the mitten shown in an open position

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the mitten, with the panel and strap in the open position.

FIG. 6 shows an insertion view of the mitten with the panel and strap open. FIG. 6 shows how the slit preferably allows for line of sight to thumb hole and plenty of access, preferably to visually and/or manually guide the wearer's thumb into the thumb hole. FIG. 6 also shows the fastener (e.g., a Velcro™ patch) which preferably mates to the fastener (e.g., the conjugate Velcro™ patch) on the cuff (not shown).

The mitten is preferably then donned. Preferably, when the panel and strap are open (as shown in FIG. 7), the slit allows the wearer and/or a helper to have line of sight to the thumb hole and plenty of access, preferably to visually and/or manually guide the wearer's thumb into the thumb hole.

The cuff does not fall off nor is it the wearer able to inadvertently remove it with a flick of the wrist. This is because of the cuff's length, the snug fit between it and the wearer's forearm, and because the thumb once inserted into the thumb hole acts to anchor the cuff relative to the wearer's arm.

Also, shown is the fastener (Velcro™ patch) on the mitten beginning to engage the fastener (Velcro™ patch) on the cuff.

The strap is preferably then wrapped around the mitten and secured to another Velcro™ patch on the outside of the mitten, as shown in FIG. 8. In this manner, the panel is also preferably closed at the same time. Closing the panel and strap preferably, simultaneously and/or substantially contemporaneously, ensures a snug fit with the wearer's hands, ensures the mitten and cuff fasteners (Velcro™ patches) become engaged, and blocks the slit to seal the hand from the elements.

Preferably since the cuff is anchored to the wearer's arm for the reasons stated above, once and/or after the Velcro™ patch on the mitten preferably engages the Velcro™ patch on the cuff, the mitten preferably thereby becomes anchored to the wearer, preferably preventing it from falling off and/or being removed with a flick of the wearer's wrist.

FIGS. 9A to 9G show open, outer, palm, and sliced inside views of mittens and cuffs (or “arm warmers”) according to a similar preferred embodiment of the invention that has dimensions sized, by way of example, for a 3-year old's hands. Among other things, FIGS. 9A to 9G show a thumb portion of the fleece having a different (e.g., opposing) color than the rest of the fleece.

In FIG. 9A, reference letter ‘A’ refers to a full length of the mitten (e.g., of about 6½ inches), ‘B’ refers to a length to an opening on the mitten (e.g., of about 2 inches), ‘C’ refers to a width to the opening on the mitten (e.g., of about 3¼ inches), ‘D’ refers to a width to the opening on an inside of the mitten (e.g., of about 2¼ inches), ‘E’ refers to a Velcro™ strip (e.g., of about 1 inch), ‘F’ refers to a side length to the opening (e.g., of about 3 inches), ‘G’ refers to a relaxed elastic circumference (e.g., of about 7 inches), ‘H’ refers to a cord length (e.g., of about 2 inches), ‘I’ refers to a wrist ribbing circumference (e.g., of about 6 inches), ‘J’ refers to a ribbing height (e.g., of about 1½ inches), ‘K’ refers to a self fabric height to a pleather material (e.g., of about 2 inches), ‘L’ refers to a pleather material width to a thumb portion (e.g., of about 1⅞ inches), ‘M’ refers to an inside self fabric to a thumb seam (e.g., of about 1½ inches), ‘N’ refers to a thumb length to an edge of the ribbing (e.g., of about 5¼ inches), ‘O’ refers to a pleather material width (e.g., of about 3 inches), ‘P’ refers to a pleather material height (e.g., of about 4⅛ inches), ‘Q’ refers to a side length from the ribbing to a centre portion (e.g., of about 6½ inches), and ‘R’ refers to a pleather material inset width at the centre portion (e.g., of about ½ inch).

In FIG. 9B, reference letter ‘S’ refers to an opening circumference of the arm warmer (e.g., of about 6½ inches), ‘T’ refers to a length to a thumb hole of the arm warmer (e.g., of about inches), ‘U’ refers to a thumb opening (e.g., of about 1¼ inch), ‘V’ refers to an arm length from the opening (e.g., of about 3 inches), ‘W’ refers to a total side length (e.g., of about 5 inches), ‘X’ refers to a bottom circumference (e.g., of about 7 inches), ‘Y’ refers to a Velcro™ patch width (e.g., of about inches), and ‘Z’ refers to a Velcro™ patch height (e.g., of about 1½ inches).

The two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods, according to the invention and/or through its two-part approach, preferably offers certain advantages, e.g., preferably insulating and/or protecting the wearer's wrists from the elements, and providing access and lines of sight to allow a helper to guide the wearer's thumbs into the thumb holes, preferably to allow for the process of donning the mittens to be comfortable, easy, fast, and stress-free, and preferably to prevent the mittens from accidently falling off or being casually removed by the wearer with a flick of the wrist.

Preferably, the two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods, according to the invention, provides a two-piece design, as described herein, and provides a serial application method (e.g., cuff, then jacket, then mitten).

Unlike prior art mitten designs, the two-part easy-on and stay-on mittens, gloves, and hand-covering devices, systems, and methods, according to the invention, preferably insulate the wearer's wrist, provide a comfortable and easy process for the wearer, and ensure the mitten, glove or hand-covering device will neither fall off nor be easily taken off with a flick of the wrist. Preferably, the invention and its use does not require passage of a bulky mitten through a relatively small jacket sleeve, and ensures the wearer's wrist will be well insulated.

Further, in general, a wearer may be more satisfied when their thumbs are in the thumb holes of mittens, so they preferably can grip and manipulate objects. The invention preferably allows an adult to guide the wearer's thumb into the mitten thumb hole, and provides ample access and line of sight to thumb hole. The wearer is preferably thus less frustrated, and/or preferably thereby less likely to want to remove the mitten.

For further clarity, and by way of example, the invention may preferably make it easier for a helper (e.g., adult, teacher, instructor, or another individual) to place mittens (or gloves) on a child (the wearer) in such a way that:

-   -   The process can preferably be performed quickly, preferably         without causing either the caretaker or the child any         discomfort.     -   The caretaker can preferably be certain that the child's wrist         will be insulated, preferably to prevent incursion of snow         and/or cold in the gap between the mitten (or glove) and a         jacket.     -   The mittens (or gloves) are preferably unlikely to accidentally         fall off or otherwise expose the child's hands to the elements.     -   The child preferably cannot casually (e.g., with a flick of the         wrist) remove the mittens (or gloves) or otherwise casually or         inadvertently exposing the child's hands to the elements.         And/or,     -   The helper can preferably easily guide a child's fingers into         the finger cavity (or cavities), and the thumb into the thumb         cavity, of the mitten (or glove)—preferably, thus ensuring the         child's use of opposable thumbs is not impaired.

The invention preferably also, or instead, allow for a wearer of any age to easily and independently don mittens (or gloves) in such a way that:

-   -   The process can preferably be performed quickly without causing         any discomfort.     -   The wearer can preferably be certain that their wrist will be         insulated, preferably to prevent incursion of snow and/or cold         between the mitten (or glove) and a jacket/     -   The mittens (or gloves) are preferably unlikely to accidentally         fall off.     -   The wearer can preferably easily place their fingers into the         finger cavity (or cavities), and the thumb into the thumb         cavity, of the mitten (or glove)—preferably, thus ensuring the         use of their opposable thumbs is not impaired. And/or,     -   Preferably, while delivering the above utility and the process         of donning, the wearer is not prevented from performing tasks         requiring fine motor control, such as, for example, closing         and/or fastening one or more snaps, buttons, and/or zippers of a         jacket.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, and related systems and methods according to the present invention, as to their structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be better understood from the figures and/or images which accompany this application, and any application claiming priority herefrom, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention may be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that any such figures and/or images may be for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

The invention is contemplated to preferably incorporate, use, and/or involve a fastener, such as a Velcro™ fastener, preferably to engage and/or secure the mitten (or glove) to the cuff, and preferably to prevent the mitten from casually/inadvertently falling off and/or being removed by the wearer with a flick of the wrist. The invention, however, is not so limited. For example, the invention may incorporate, use, and/or involve a high-pile directional material, such as lint brush fabric, (or another fabric or material which may afford a high coefficient of static friction)—preferably integral with and/or securely presented by the mitten (or glove), the cuff, or both the mitten (or glove) and the cuff—in one or more orientations which preferably allow the mitten (or glove) to move in an upward direction relative to the cuff (i.e., higher up the wearer's arm), and which preferably prevent the mitten (or glove) from moving in the downward direction relative to the cuff, and/or prevent the mitten (or glove) from moving to a point where it otherwise might be at greater risk of falling off. Persons skilled in the art may readily appreciate, in view of the teachings and disclosures herein, that the invention may likewise, additionally, or instead incorporate, use, and/or involve other fasteners known in the prior art, in analogous fields of art, and otherwise.

The invention is contemplated for use in association with two-piece mittens, gloves and hand-coverings to afford increased advantageous utilities in association with same. The invention, however, is not so limited. For example, the cuff which is provided according to the invention as described herein (e.g., including thumb hole and Velcro™ fastener) could be integral with the jacket, so that it would mate in the same way with the mitten component of the invention.

Other embodiments, which fall within the scope of the invention, may be provided. For example, substantially the same design may be provided with a cuff part that has a thumb hole, and with a mitten part that does not have any thumb portion at all (e.g., for younger babies).

It may be worthwhile to note that either one of the mitten part and the cuff part could be used alone, without the respective other one, to some advantageous utility.

Additionally, the words “mitten”, “glove”, and “hand-covering” as used herein are interchangeable with one another when, as, and to the extent appropriate, as will be readily understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.

Naturally, in view of the teachings and disclosures herein, persons having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that alternate designs and/or embodiments of the invention may be possible (e.g., with substitution of one or more components for others, with alternate configurations of components, etc). Although some of the components, relations, configurations and/or steps according to the invention are not specifically referenced in association with one another, they may be used, and/or adapted for use, in association therewith. All of the aforementioned and various other structures, configurations, relationships, utilities, any which may be depicted and/or based hereon, and the like may be, but are not necessarily, incorporated into and/or achieved by the invention. Any one or more of the aforementioned structures, configurations, relationships, utilities and the like may be implemented in and/or by the invention, on their own, and/or without reference, regard or likewise implementation of any of the other aforementioned structures, configurations, relationships, utilities and the like, in various permutations and combinations, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the pith, marrow, and spirit of the disclosed invention.

Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design, manufacture, and/or implementation of other embodiments according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims of any complete version of this patent application or any patent applications claiming priority herefrom. 

1. A two-part easy-on and stay-on device, for use by a wearer as a mitten, glove, and/or hand-covering and for use with a jacket, comprising a cuff (or arm warmer) part and a mitten (or glove or hand-covering) part; wherein the cuff part is adapted to be donned before the jacket and/or has a size and/or configuration which readily slides and/or fits underneath the jacket when donned and being donned; wherein the cuff part is adapted to readily receive and permit sliding of the wearer's hand therethrough; wherein one extent of the cuff part is shaped to define a cuff thumb hole portion, which is adapted to receive and engage the hand's thumb; wherein, when the cuff thumb hole portion receives and engages the hand's thumb, the cuff part is thus secured in place while the wearer pushes their arm through the jacket's sleeve, and/or thus anchored substantially in place, relative to the wearer's arm, across a wide range of motion permitted by the wearer's arm and/or shoulders; wherein the cuff part is sized, shaped, and/or adapted to extend from about the wearer's mid-palm to about mid-forearm, whereby the cuff part protects the wearer's wrist against cold and/or snow; wherein the cuff part is constructed of a thin, insulating, waterproof, and/or stretchy cuff material, whereby the cuff part provides thermal insulation, warmth, a waterproof barrier, and/or conformal contact with a wide range of potential wrist diameters for the wearer, and/or whereby the cuff part readily fits over a sleeve of a sweater and/or of other clothing worn underneath the cuff part; wherein the cuff material has a thinness, and/or the cuff part is otherwise adapted, to readily pass through the jacket's sleeve; wherein the cuff part has one or more (hook-and-loop and/or other) first fastener patches, which mate with and/or securely engage one or more (hook-and-loop and/or other) second fastener patches that are provided on an inside portion of the mitten part; wherein the second fastener patches of the mitten part are oriented to mate with the first fastener patches of the cuff part; wherein the cuff part has two first fastener patches, and two second fastener patches are provided on the mitten part, top and bottom, whereby the cuff part is readily adapted to be worn interchangeably on the wearer's left hand and right hand; wherein, after the wearer pushes their arm through the jacket's sleeve with the cuff thumb hole portion receiving and engaging the hand's thumb, the cuff part protects the wearer's wrist while the wearer's fingers remain free and are afforded sufficient dexterity to close and/or fasten any zippers, snaps, and/or buttons on the jacket; wherein the mitten part is shaped to define a mitten thumb hole portion and a slit; wherein the slit extends from adjacent a base portion of the mitten part, and is adapted to extend, when worn, to about the wearer's third knuckle on the index finger; wherein the slit is adapted to provide the wearer and/or another user with a clear line of sight into the mitten thumb hole portion and/or ready access to guide the wearer's thumb into the mitten thumb portion; wherein the mitten part has a panel and/or strap member; wherein, when the wearer's fingers and thumb are engaged in the mitten, the panel and/or strap member is closed thus (a) closing the slit on the mitten part, whereby the wearer's hand and/or wrist is protected from the weather, and/or (b) urging the second fastener patches on the inside portion of the mitten part towards, and/or into more secure engagement with, the first fastener patches of the cuff part, whereby the mitten part is fixed in place relative to the cuff part and/or prevented from accidentally falling off and/or from being casually or unintentionally removed; and/or wherein the panel and/or strap member has a tab (and/or similar) member which is shaped, sized, configured, and/or otherwise adapted to permit ready manipulation by the wearer while wearing the mitten part, and/or to permit selective and/or ready removal of the mitten part by the wearer.
 2. A two-part easy-on and stay-on device, for use by a wearer as a mitten, glove, and hand-covering and for use with a jacket, comprising a cuff part and a mitten part, wherein the cuff part is adapted to be donned before the jacket and has a size and configuration which readily slides and fits underneath the jacket when donned and being donned, and wherein the cuff part is adapted to readily receive and permit sliding of the wearer's hand therethrough.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein one extent of the cuff part is shaped to define a cuff thumb hole portion, which is adapted to receive and engage the hand's thumb.
 4. A device according to claim 3 wherein, when the cuff thumb hole portion receives and engages the hand's thumb, the cuff part is thus secured in place while the wearer pushes their arm through the jacket's sleeve, and thus anchored substantially in place, relative to the wearer's arm, across a wide range of motion permitted by the wearer's arm and shoulders.
 5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cuff part is sized, shaped, and adapted to extend from about the wearer's mid-palm to about mid-forearm, whereby the cuff part protects the wearer's wrist against cold and snow.
 6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cuff part is constructed of a thin, insulating, waterproof, and stretchy cuff material, whereby the cuff part provides thermal insulation, warmth, a waterproof barrier, and conformal contact with a wide range of potential wrist diameters for the wearer, and whereby the cuff part readily fits over a sleeve of a sweater worn underneath the cuff part.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the cuff material has a thinness, and the cuff part is adapted, to readily pass through the jacket's sleeve.
 8. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cuff part has one or more first fastener patches, wherein an inside portion of the mitten part has one or more second fastener patches that are oriented to mate with the first fastener patches of the cuff part, and wherein the first fastener patches mate with and securely engage the second fastener patches.
 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the first fastener patches and the second fastener patches are hook-and-loop fastener patches.
 10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the cuff part has two of the first fastener patches, and the mitten part has two of the second fastener patches, whereby the cuff part is readily adapted to be worn interchangeably on the wearer's left hand and right hand.
 11. A device according to claim 3 wherein, after the wearer pushes their arm through the jacket's sleeve with the cuff thumb hole portion receiving and engaging the hand's thumb, the cuff part protects the wearer's wrist while the wearer's fingers remain free and are afforded sufficient dexterity to close and fasten zippers, snaps, and buttons on the jacket.
 12. A device according to claim 8, wherein the mitten part is shaped to define a mitten thumb hole portion and a slit; wherein the slit extends from adjacent a base portion of the mitten part, and is adapted to extend, when worn, to about the wearer's third knuckle on the index finger; and wherein the slit is adapted to provide the wearer and other users with a clear line of sight into the mitten thumb hole portion and ready access to guide the wearer's thumb into the mitten thumb portion.
 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the mitten part has a panel and strap member and wherein, when the wearer's fingers and thumb are engaged in the mitten, the panel and strap member is closed thus (a) closing the slit on the mitten part, whereby the wearer's hand and wrist is protected from the weather, and (b) urging the second fastener patches on the inside portion of the mitten part towards, and into more secure engagement with, the first fastener patches of the cuff part, whereby the mitten part is fixed in place relative to the cuff part and prevented from accidentally falling off and from being casually and unintentionally removed.
 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the panel and strap member has a tab member which is shaped, sized, configured, and adapted to permit ready manipulation by the wearer while wearing the mitten part, and to permit selective and ready removal of the mitten part by the wearer.
 15. Systems and methods for using of the device of claim 2 as a mitten, glove, and hand-covering, and for making the device of claim 2 for use as a mitten, glove, and hand-covering. 